Prabowo: Garuda High Schools Adopt IB Curriculum, Aim for World's Top Universities

President Prabowo Subianto has said that Unggul Garuda high schools use the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to prepare students to continue their education at the world’s best universities.

He made the statement in his state address at the 2026 Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the House of Representatives (DPR) at the MPR/DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday.

“What sets them apart is that these high schools use an international curriculum, the IB, which meets the highest standards, the same as the best schools in the world, and we are preparing them to enter the world’s best universities,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo said Garuda high schools are intended for Indonesian children with exceptional talent and intelligence.

The government has completed the construction of four Garuda high schools in East Belitung, Bangka Belitung; South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi; Bulungan, East Kalimantan; and South Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara.

In addition, the government is also developing Garuda Transformasi high schools, which have now reached 42 schools in 15 provinces, comprising 12 schools in 2025 and an additional 30 schools in 2026.

The programme is part of the government’s strategy to provide educational support according to students’ potential.

“Fairness does not mean the state gives everyone the same treatment. Fairness is when the state provides support according to need,” Prabowo said.

Through education with international standards, the government is also expanding opportunities for Indonesian students to pursue higher education abroad.

Prabowo added that the number of undergraduate students sent to the world’s best universities through the Garuda Scholarship reached 416 students in 2025 and increased to 515 students in 2026.

Prabowo said the government is also continuing to improve the quality of universities at home. This year, seven Indonesian state universities have entered the ranks of the world’s top 500 universities.

Universitas Indonesia is ranked 191st, while Universitas Gadjah Mada, Institut Teknologi Bandung, and Universitas Airlangga are in the top 300. Institut Pertanian Bogor, Universitas Padjadjaran, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember are in the top 500.

“Of course, this must be even better in the years to come,” Prabowo said.